Ghana's borders too porous – Major Derick Oduro

The Deputy Defense Minister, Major(Rtd) Derick Oduro has described Ghana’s borders as porous which need more attention to curb any possible attack from insurgents.

“As for our borders, we have already stated, it’s porous; everybody should be wary of that”. He told Accra Fm in the nation’s capital on Tuesday.

The ex-serviceman and Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkronza North Constituency statement came in the wake of the arrest of three persons with explosives and in response to claims the internal security of the country is being threatened as a result.

Police are still investigating the suspects to ascertain their intentions and to also establish if the individuals are truly linked to the terrorist group Islamic States (IS) as some people are claiming.

However, some security experts have criticized the police for leaking the information to the public saying it’s too early and could create fear and panic in the country.

But the Deputy Minister rubbished claims by individuals who argue that Ghana could be attacked by terrorist

“Though it is not always 100% ok when it comes to dealing with security issues,” he noted.

“We have nothing to do with terrorists, we are sovereign and none aligned. The country has not backed anyone to attract terrorists,” he said

According to Major (Rtd) Derick Oduro, the country’s borders are porous because immigration officers at the various posts of the boundaries are neither well equipped nor numerous enough to critically tighten security at various points of entry.

Ghana is bordered by the Ivory Coast in the West, Burkina Faso in the north, Togo in the east and the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean in the south.

“We don’t have enough immigration officers to cover the length and breadth of our borders neither do we have the needed equipment to empower the security agencies”. He disclosed.

The legislator also argued that the nature of settlement on the borders of Ghana has also made it difficult for the security services to deal with how foreigners troop in the country and the threats they pose.

“For instance, you will get to a border town wherein one community you can find Ghanaians and Togolese. It is very difficult to indicate our boundaries on the grounds. Therefore how would you know there is a criminal in such a community or not” He explained adding that this is how the African community is made of, unlike the Western world.

He further indicated that, though the government is doing all it can to protect the country, citizens must also do well to protect themselves in their own little way.